ROCHESTER - Karen Lea Gunter, 65, of 1409 Audubon Ave., Rochester, died April 3, 2009, in St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, South Bend.
She was born June 13, 1943, in Macy, to Sherman and Alice Cover Hively. On Aug. 7, 1998, in Rochester, she married Don L. Gunter, who survives.
She attended First Baptist Church, Rochester.
She enjoyed the adventures at The Blue Chip Casino. Playing the slots were her favorite. With a keen eye for a "good" machine, she enjoyed some nice jackpots and occasionally hitting the "big one." She was an avid bingo player - playing at the Miami Indian Bingo Club, Peru.
To relax she listened to the music of Elton John and Elvis Presley. Cruising down the country roads with Don at her side - taking him places he'd never been, was ideal for a sunny Sunday afternoon. She was delighted to embrace nature with fishing for pan fish. Blue gills were her favorite catch of the day. There were many memories on the shimmering lakes of northern Indiana and travels to the pristine lakes of Minnesota. Her tool of the trade was her cane pole - a basic necessity for any fisherman. Armed with bee moths or red worms she was always prepared to set the hook and land the big one.
Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She looked forward to their visits Together they enjoyed playing games, playing cards and visits to Manitou Mountain. It was fun to go to the movie theater to watch the latest on the silver screen. They also were delighted to watch cartoons and movies while relaxing at grandma's house.
Also surviving are her mother, Alice, Macy; four daughters, Brenda (and Keith) Ernest, Tina Kline and Angie (and spouse Dan) Johnson, all of Rochester, and Crystal Hively (and companion Jessica Lowe), Etna Green; two sons, Nick Kline (and companion Mindi Williams), Tippecanoe, and Chuck (and spouse Paula) Kline, Fishers; a stepdaughter, Davina Enders, Rochester; two stepsons, Leroy (and spouse Lori) Enders, Illinois, and Brian (and spouse Nora) Enders, Denver, Ind.; 23 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Shari (and spouse Terry) Burns, Denver, and Marvis (and spouse John) Zimmerman, Akron; a brother, Billy Hively (and companion Carol Jones), Akron; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was excited and looked forward to the arrival of two additional great-grandchildren due during the summer of 2009. She was preceded in death by her father and a toddler sister, Loretta Jean Hively.
As an animal lover, she had many fond memories of her Scottish Terrier, Sambo, and Hercules the boxer.
A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester, with the Rev. Danny Honeycutt officiating. Burial will be in Rochester IOOF Cemetery.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the funeral home.
*****
Memorials to the Shop with a Cop or Toys for Tots.
